System for automated translation of speech

Abstract

The present invention allows subscribers to an online information service to participate in real-time conferencing or chat sessions in which a message originating from a subscriber in accordance with a first language is translated to one or more languages before it is broadcast to the other conference areas. Messages in a first language are translated automatically to one or more other languages through language translation capabilities resident at online information service host computers. Access software that subscribers use for participating in conference is integrated with speech recognition and speech generation software such that a subscriber may speak the message he or she would like to share with other participants and may hear the messages from the other participants in the conference. Speech-to-speech translation may be accomplished as a message spoken into a computer microphone in accordance with a first language may be recited by a remote computer in accordance with a second language.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 574,325, filed May 19, 2000, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,292,769, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 959,688, filed Oct. 29, 1997, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,754, which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 745,222, filed Nov. 8, 1996, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,685, which was a file-wrapper continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 388,630, filed Feb. 14, 1995, which is now abandoned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a system for automated translation of speech in a real-time conferencing or chat environment. Particularly, the present invention integrates speech recognition, machine translation, and speech generation technology into a system for accepting messages from and broadcasting messages to subscribers of an online information system such that a message spoken by a subscriber in a first languag...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables speech-to-speech communication across languages, facilitating participation by individuals with disabilities and those who speak different languages, creating an inclusive real-time conferencing environment.

Problems solved by technology

Although subscribers throughout the world may have similar interests, a subscriber may be prevented from participating in a particular conferencing or chat session because he does not understand the language in which the discussion is being conducted.

Persons with disabilities such as blindness or dexterity loss often cannot participate in online conference or chat sessions.

Images